Fostering Change

CONTENT WARNING: ADULT/DISTURBING THEMES — ABUSE & VIOLENCE Welcome to this week’s episode of Fostering Change. Our host, Rob Scheer, sits down with an extraordinary guest — Baron Li, co-owner of Four Tiers Contracting and founder of the CKMD Army. Baron’s journey is one of unimaginable pain, resilience, and redemption. A former foster youth who endured 17 placements and severe childhood abuse — including being burned with a clothing iron and cigarettes at just three years old — Baron later survived an attempted murder-for-hire plot that left him shot nine times. Yet, through it all, he transformed trauma into purpose. Today, Baron is building homes and hope through Four Tiers Contracting, employing and mentoring aged-out foster youth, and expanding CKMD Army — a nationwide movement uniting the foster care community with a 50-state resource network. In this powerful and emotional conversation, Rob and Baron discuss: How a childhood marked by violence and instability shaped Baron’s mission to help others rebuild their lives His incredible survival story: “I was shot nine times, left for dead — but I chose not to be a victim. I chose to live, to forgive, and to give back.” How Four Tiers Contracting provides aged-out foster youth with steady employment, mentorship, and a pathway to independence The vision behind CKMD Army (Can’t Keep Me Down) — a 50-state foster care resource network empowering youth, families, and advocates nationwide Why Baron believes resilience is forged through service — and that “purpose is the only thing stronger than pain.” Baron Li’s story is a testament to the human spirit — proof that even after the darkest moments, there is light. Trauma can shape us, but it never has to define who we become. 👉 Learn more about Baron Li and his work: All Links: linktr.ee/baronbli LinkedIn: CKMD Army 🎧 After you listen, please “like,” comment, and share the episode. Your support helps us reach more listeners and shine a light on vital conversations like this. Fostering Change releases new episodes every Tuesday. Questions, comments, or guest suggestions? Please email us at dthalberg@comfortcases.org. Thank you for listening — and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer welcomes Tracey Heisler, Executive Director of CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) in New Jersey. CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates—ensures that children in the child welfare system have a voice in the courtroom and access to the support they need to thrive. With nearly two decades of leadership at CASA SHaW, Tracey shares: 💬 How CASA changes lives: “Kids with a CASA do better in school, get services faster, and have someone in their corner when everyone else changes.” ⚖️ The danger of funding cuts that could silence advocacy for vulnerable children. 🤝 The critical role of volunteers and how you can step up to be that one stable, consistent advocate. 💙 Tracey’s personal journey from foster parent to nonprofit leader—and what it’s taught her about resilience and compassion. Her message is clear: Advocacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. And CASA’s fight today is every child’s fight. 👉 Learn more about CASA SHaW and how to get involved: Website: www.casashaw.org Facebook: facebook.com/CASASHaW Instagram: instagram.com/casa_shaw Email: info@casashaw.org 🎧 Like, comment, and share this episode to help us spread awareness and inspire change. 📅 New episodes of Fostering Change drop every Tuesday! For questions or guest suggestions, email: dthalberg@comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a special Best of Edition of Fostering Change! Originally aired during National Foster Care Awareness Month, this powerful conversation is worth revisiting. In this episode, host Rob Scheer sits down with the incredible Charell Star—author, speaker, and foster care advocate. Many first discovered Charell through her moving feature in Humans of New York. Now she returns to share wisdom from her brilliant new book, Trash Bag Tales and Other Stories from an Accidentally Happy Life. Her story is raw, funny, and deeply empowering—proving that resilience, joy, and self-discovery can grow from even the hardest beginnings. 👉 In this conversation, Rob and Charell explore: How humor and honesty can reshape the way the world sees foster care stories The journey behind Trash Bag Tales and turning pain into empowerment Why the award-winning documentary Feeling Wanted is used in child welfare training worldwide What it means to move beyond survival and claim the life you deserve ✨ Learn more about Charell Star: 📖 Book: Trash Bag Tales and Other Stories from an Accidentally Happy Life → https://www.amazon.com/Trash-Bag-Tales-Other-Accidentally/dp/1646639741 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charellstar 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charellstar 📖 Humans of New York Feature: https://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/618907346047008768 🎧 If you’re new to Fostering Change or a long-time listener, don’t miss this inspiring episode! Please like, comment, and share to help spread these stories of hope and dignity. New episodes release every Tuesday—stay tuned and thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN. 💙 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this week’s episode of Fostering Change, hosted by Rob Scheer. 💙 Today’s guest is Dr. Danisha Keating—author, speaker, and former foster youth whose journey from heartbreak to healing is nothing short of extraordinary. At just 16, CPS workers separated her from her eight siblings and handed her a trash bag with five minutes to pack her life. By 24, she became the guardian of her five younger siblings, choosing resilience and purpose over despair. Dr. Keating is the bestselling author of Taking My Voice Back: Healing What Broke Me and From Foster to PhD. In this powerful conversation, she and Rob dive into: ✨ How to heal from trauma, shame, and blame ✨ The importance of protecting your story while still speaking your truth ✨ The systemic barriers youth in foster care face—including files that hold pieces of their own lives ✨ Why education became her lifeline and how she stepped boldly into her future Her story is proof that no matter what you’ve lived through, you have the power to write the next chapter. As Dr. Keating reminds us: “When you’re in foster care, the courts and the files decide your story — not you. That’s why I had to learn how to take my voice back.” 👉 Learn more about Dr. Danisha Keating: 🌐 Website: danishakeating.com 📱 Instagram: @drdanishakeating 📘 Facebook: Danisha Keating ▶️ YouTube: The Dr. Danisha Keating Show 🎵 TikTok: @drdanishakeating 🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this episode to help us reach more listeners. We’re back every Tuesday with new conversations on Fostering Change. For guest suggestions or feedback, please email us at dthalberg@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What started with one simple question—“What can I do with my old bras?”—turned into a global movement. 🌍 In this inspiring episode of Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer is joined by Dana Marlowe, founder of I Support the Girls and Accessibility Partners. Dana’s work provides dignity to marginalized women and youth through access to bras, new underwear, and menstrual hygiene products. Together, Dana and Rob discuss: ✨ How to start a nonprofit and build strong partnerships with other grassroots organizations ✨ The importance of supporting youth and building confidence through dignity ✨ The powerful partnership between Comfort Cases and I Support the Girls ✨ ISTG’s upcoming 10-year anniversary in July 🎉 As a human rights advocate, Dana has dedicated her life to amplifying the voices of invisible populations while also making technology more inclusive for people with disabilities. When she isn’t sorting hygiene products or striving for equity, you’ll find her cheering at her sons’ sports games, walking her Silver Lab, or even at early morning dance raves. 💙 Follow I Support the Girls: Website: http://www.isupportthegirls.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SupportTheGirlsandWomen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isupportthegirls/?hl=en Twitter/X: https://x.com/i_support_girls?lang=en Threads: https://www.threads.com/@isupportthegirls TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isupportthegirls?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/29214127/admin/dashboard/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is International FASD Awareness Day, a day that deserves our full attention. On this powerful episode of Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer is joined by Patricia (Patti) Kasper, a Neurobehavioral Coach and Trainer who discovered she had FASD as an adult. Patti’s story is one of resilience and advocacy. After learning about her diagnosis, she shifted her work to focus on the 15 million U.S. adults living with undiagnosed FASD, bringing awareness, education, and hope to those who may not even realize how deeply FASD affects their lives. In this conversation, you’ll hear: ✨ Patti’s personal journey of discovery and healing ✨ The hidden challenges of adults living with undiagnosed FASD ✨ How Rob’s own connection to FASD fuels Comfort Cases’ mission ✨ The importance of spreading awareness on International FASD Awareness Day Patti is also the host of the podcast Living with FASD and author of Sip by Sip: Candid Conversation with Adults Living with FASD. You can find her book here: books.by/yourfasdcoach. 🔗 Connect with Patti Kasper: Facebook: facebook.com/Patricia.Kasper.Your.FASD.Coach Instagram: instagram.com/patriciakasperthefasdcoach Threads: threads.com/patriciakasperthefasdcoach LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patricia-kasper Email: contact@patriciakasper.com 📢 After listening, please leave us a review—it helps us reach more people and continue these important conversations. Have guest suggestions or questions? Email our producer: dthalberg@comfortcases.org. 💙 Thank you for supporting Fostering Change. Together, we can bring dignity and hope to children and families everywhere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Season 7 of Fostering Change! Believe it or not, this is our 243rd episode — and it’s all thanks to YOU and your support. Starting this season, new episodes will drop every Tuesday, just like you requested! 👉 We’d love your help: after watching/listening, please leave a review. It takes just a minute and makes a huge difference with the “mysterious algorithm,” helping us share our incredible guests with even more people. 🌟 Today’s Guest: Bob Dalton We’re kicking off Season 7 with our friend and Comfort Cases supporter, Bob Dalton — founder of Sackcloth & Ashes, the company behind stunning Italian-made blankets. For every blanket sold, one is donated to a local shelter. Bob and his team have already given countless blankets to Comfort Cases, and we couldn’t be more grateful. In this episode, Rob and Bob dive into: Why community matters now more than ever How Sackcloth & Ashes is transforming giving with a one-for-one model Bob’s exciting new app LOCL, designed to reconnect us with our neighbors, groups, and events nearby 💡 More About Bob: Bob Dalton is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and social designer on a mission to reclaim human connection in the digital age. Named a Forbes Changemaker and CNN Champion of Change, he’s donated hundreds of thousands of blankets through Sackcloth & Ashes and now, through LOCL, is building digital tools to help people connect locally. 📌 Learn More: 🌐 sackclothandashes.com 🌐 locl.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our final Best of Summer episode of Fostering Change! 🌟 Next week kicks off Season 7 (premiering Tuesday, September 2) and—by popular demand—we’re back to WEEKLY episodes. This week, Rob Scheer is joined by: 👩‍💼 Jennifer Perry – Co-Founder of FosterMore & Executive Director of Children’s Action Network 📚 Lara Love Hardin – FosterMorey Award Winner & New York Times bestselling author of The Many Lives of Mama Love (an Oprah Book Club pick!) Lara opens up about her journey through addiction, incarceration, and the painful separation from her children—and how she rebuilt her life through resilience, recovery, and storytelling. Together, Rob, Jennifer, and Lara shine a light on the foster care system, the power of second chances, and the urgent need to support youth in care. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | wherever you get your podcasts! 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you! 📅 Don’t miss it: In honor of National Foster Care Awareness Month, new episodes will be released every Tuesday in May. 🌐 Learn more & support our mission: www.comfortcases.org 📌 More Information: Children’s Action Network FosterMore 📱 Follow & Connect: Children’s Action Network: Instagram @childrensactionnetwork | X @childrensaction | Facebook Children’s Action Network FosterMore: Instagram @foster_more | X @fostermore | Facebook FosterMore Lara Love Hardin: Instagram @laralovehardin | Facebook Lara Love Hardin 📖 Get Lara’s book, The Many Lives of Mama Love, at your favorite bookstore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"When good people get together, great things happen." – Jamie Truman In this Best of Fostering Change episode, Rob Scheer sits down with Jamie Truman of Truman Charities, an organization dedicated to helping both local and national charities — including Comfort Cases — by hosting multiple fundraising events each year. The best part? 100% of the funds raised go directly to the charities they support. Over the past 15 years, Jamie and her husband Jerry have helped raise more than $2 million for various causes. Jamie is also the author of Vanishing Fathers: The Ripple Effect on Tomorrow's Generation, a #1 Amazon Best New Release, with all proceeds benefiting charities supporting at-risk youth. In this inspiring conversation, we discuss: The power of giving back to your community How Truman Charities creates a meaningful impact The vital role fathers play in shaping future generations Jamie also hosts The Truman Charities Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about Jamie & Truman Charities: 📚 Order her book: Vanishing Fathers on Amazon 🌐 Website: trumancharities.com 📸 Instagram: @jamie_trumancharities 📍 Facebook: trumancharities 💼 LinkedIn: jamietruman ✉️ Email: info@trumancharities.com If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe! Have a guest suggestion or feedback? Email us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a special Best of Fostering Change episode! This week, we revisit a powerful conversation originally aired in March, featuring two changemakers in the world of child welfare and LGBTQ+ advocacy: Kate Trambitskaya, CEO of Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children, and Brian Rosenberg, founder of GWK Academy Family Building. Join host Rob Scheer for an honest and urgent discussion about how federal cutbacks are impacting foster youth, LGBTQ+ families, and other vulnerable communities—and how you can help make a difference. 🔍 Why This Episode Matters: 💡 Kate Trambitskaya is a returning guest who continues to lead efforts that support expectant mothers, children in institutional care overseas, and adoptees here in the U.S. 🌈 Brian Rosenberg introduces the future of GWK Academy—expanding from supporting gay and queer men to serving all LGBTQ+ individuals in their family-building journeys starting March 2025. 🛠️ How You Can Help: 🔥 Don’t just listen—take action. 💬 Leave a comment or question below. ❤️ Like, share, and subscribe to spread the message. 📩 Contact us at: fosteringchange@comfortcases.org 🌐 Learn more at: https://www.comfortcases.org 📲 Connect with Our Guests: Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spencechapin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencechapinsvc/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/spencechapinsvc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71342/ GWK Academy / Gays With Kids Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaysWithKids Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gays_with_kids Instagram (GWK Academy): https://www.instagram.com/gwkacademy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GWK LinkedIn (Brian Rosenberg): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrrosenberg/ 🎧 Subscribe for more powerful conversations that lead to real, lasting chang Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy July and welcome back to a Best Of episode of Fostering Change! In this lively and heartwarming conversation, host Rob Scheer reconnects with fan-favorite Doogie Sandtiger, also known as The Croc King — a man with a passion for comfort and color who has collected over 3,000 pairs of Crocs. You may have seen Doogie on The Today Show or follow him on social media. But beyond the viral Croc fame, Doogie's story is deeply personal. Like Rob — and many youth in foster care — Doogie never learned how to tie his shoes as a child. That’s where Crocs became more than footwear — they became a symbol of independence and identity. This episode is not just fun (we promise it is!), but it also delves into the real-life challenges faced by youth in foster care and how individuals like Rob and Doogie are working to make a difference. 👉 Know someone who should be a guest on Season 7 of Fostering Change? Email us at: info@comfortcases.org 🔗 Follow Doogie “The Croc King” on Social Media: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/doogielicious 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/doogielish 🎵 TikTok: tiktok.com/@hardcroclife4me 💙 Thank you for listening and supporting Fostering Change! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BEST OF SEASON 6 — As we close out Season 6 and gear up for Season 7 of Fostering Change, we’re highlighting some of our most powerful conversations from the past year. With over 220 episodes behind us, we’re grateful to every guest and listener who has helped us grow this platform into what it is today. In this featured episode, Rob Scheer is joined by guest co-host Rita Soronen, CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, for an incredible conversation with Andrew Bridge — former foster youth, attorney, and author of The Child Catcher: A Fight for Justice & Truth. Andrew shares his story of surviving 11 years in Los Angeles County foster care, his rise to become a Harvard Law graduate and Fulbright Scholar, and his fight to protect children in broken systems. His new book, The Child Catcher, tells the true story of a legal battle to rescue youth trapped in a secretive and abusive institution in rural Alabama. 💥 Proceeds from The Child Catcher support CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) chapters nationwide. To support, visit AndrewBridgeAuthor.com and select your preferred chapter — 50% of pre-sale royalties will be donated directly. 📩 Have questions, comments, or guest suggestions? Email us at info@comfortcases.org — 📚 About Andrew Bridge Spent 11 years in foster care Graduated from Wesleyan University and Harvard Law School Led efforts to shut down abusive institutions Former CEO of The Alliance for Children’s Rights Co-founder of National Adoption Day and New Village Girls Academy NYT bestselling author of Hope’s Boy Serves on the Arizona Foster Care Review Board 📲 Follow Andrew: Facebook: facebook.com/andrew.bridge.9041 Instagram: @andrewbridgejd Twitter/X: @AndrewBridgeJD Threads: @AndrewBridgeJD 🔗 Learn More About The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: Website: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/ Instagram: @dtfa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveThomasFoundationforAdoption/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Season 6 FINALE of Fostering Change! 🎉 What an incredible season it's been — filled with inspiring, motivating, and heartfelt stories. THANK YOU for being part of our journey, for tuning in each week, and for all your comments and reviews. We do this for YOU. 💙 📅 Coming Soon: Starting June 17, join us for our "Best of" Summer Series — a special collection of our favorite episodes. Whether you’re re-listening or discovering them for the first time, we hope these powerful stories inspire you all over again. 🔥 Mark your calendar: Season 7 premieres on September 2, and we’re returning to weekly episodes every Tuesday! More guests, more voices, and even more impact. Have a guest suggestion? Email us at: info@comfortcases.org 🎙️ Today’s Season Finale Guest: Dr. Kisha Davis There’s no better way to wrap this season than with the amazing Dr. Kisha Davis — family physician, public health leader, and a dear friend of Rob Scheer and the Comfort Cases family. Kisha shares the powerful legacy of her grandmother in her new biography: 📖 “The Making of a Pearl” – Buy the book on Amazon In this episode, you'll hear heartfelt stories of resilience, love, and history passed down over weekday breakfasts with her grandmother, Ida Pearl Green, who lived to be 106. Dr. Davis also discusses her work in the Quince Orchard community, her role as Montgomery County’s Chief Health Officer, and her involvement in the documentary Finding Fellowship — co-produced with her brother and previous Fostering Change guest, Jason Green. ✨ Don’t miss this powerful conversation about family, legacy, and leadership. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Kisha Davis: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/kisha.davis2 📸 Instagram: @drkishadavis 🐦 Twitter/X: @kishadavismd 📱 Threads: @drkishadavis 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daviskisha #ComfortCases #FosteringChange #FosterCareAwareness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Fostering Change! Today marks the final installment of our special episodes for National Foster Care Awareness Month. We hope you've enjoyed the series—and, more importantly, learned something meaningful from each conversation. As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments and pass these episodes along to others. In today’s episode, we welcome back one of Rob’s favorite guests: Charell Star, who first joined us in Season 5. Charell gained national attention when she was featured in Humans of New York (link below), and she returns to discuss her powerful new book, Trash Bag Tales and Other Stories from an Accidentally Happy Life. The book offers readers a raw, heartfelt, and often humorous look at what it means to claim the joyful life you deserve. Charell is also the featured subject in the award-winning documentary Feeling Wanted, which chronicles her time in foster care and is now used as a training resource by child welfare organizations around the world. We absolutely loved this episode—and we’ve already invited Charell back for Season 7! 📚 Want to read Charell’s book? Find it at your favorite bookstore or purchase it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Trash-Bag-Tales-Stories-Accidentally/dp/B0F24H8DXS 📲 Connect with Charell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charellstar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charellstar/ Read her “Humans of New York” story: https://www.instagram.com/p/CUK7yfSrFT3/?hl=en 🎧 One more episode of Season 6 drops next week! After that, we’ll take a short break and share some “Best Of” episodes before returning with Season 7 this fall. 💌 Got thoughts or guest suggestions? Email us at: info@comfortcases.org Thank you for being a GOOD HUMAN. 💙 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of Fostering Change, we continue our special acknowledgment that May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. We hope you have taken some moments to reflect on what you can do to support those in the foster care system: donate, volunteer your time, mentor, or even consider taking steps to be a CASA or foster parent. Thank you for all you do! If you’d like a simple way to support Comfort Cases, here’s an idea: You can participate in the Hundred X program. Click on the following link, and you’ll be guided to complete surveys about brands and companies you are familiar with. Comfort Cases will receive $1.60 for every survey you fill out (and it only takes 2 minutes max for each!) https://programs.hundredx.com/givewithoutspending Now, on to today’s episode: For 8 years, we have worked with the team at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Indiana, and have expanded that partnership throughout the country, literally giving away THOUSANDS of our Comfort Cases backpacks to social service agencies and youth experiencing foster care. Today, we speak with Aimee Christian, a Fostering Connections Case Manager with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Aimee and Rob Scheer have a lively discussion that focuses on the positive changes that can be made to improve the foster care system. Some of the points they cover include changing our vocabulary so we’re not labeling these youth, changing the focus from just on the child to the entire family, and building and improving relationships with the birth family and the foster family. Aimee and Rob will certainly motivate you to—at minimum—give new thoughts to the foster care system and—at best—possibly motivate you to consider becoming a foster parent yourself! We know you’ll enjoy this interview. Thank you again to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for being such a valuable and supportive partner to Comfort Cases all these years! ​​The partnership between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Comfort Cases has grown since 2018. Since the expansion, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s affiliated health plans have hosted dozens of packing parties across 16 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico, providing thousands of Comfort Cases and XL duffel bags to youth in foster care nationwide. For more information about the foster care system or how you can support Comfort Cases, please visit our website: www.comfortcases.org. If you have any questions, comments, or guest suggestions, please reach out to us at info@comfortcases.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of the Comfort Cases Podcast, Rob Scheer sits down with Amy Vale, foster parent and founder of For the Cubs, a purpose-driven brand creating sensory tools to support emotional regulation in children and adults alike. Amy shares how her own foster care journey inspired a mission: to design products that provide real comfort, like Percy, a weighted plush bear that mimics the feeling of a hug. Their conversation explores: ✅ The power of pairing entrepreneurship with advocacy ✅ How sensory tools support those facing trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and more ✅ The lack of comforting resources for children entering care ✅ What empathetic corporate responsibility really looks like This powerful episode is part of our ongoing spotlight series for National Foster Care Awareness Month. Don’t miss this heartfelt discussion about healing, innovation, and how we can all do better for youth in care. 🔗 Learn more about For the Cubs: www.forthecubs.com 📅 New episodes every Tuesday in May 💙 Learn more about Comfort Cases: www.comfortcases.org 📧 Contact: info@comfortcases.org 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Google Podcasts—wherever you tune in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, and we’re kicking it off with one of our most powerful episodes yet. This week on Fostering Change, host Rob Scheer is joined by special guest co-host Jennifer Perry, Executive Director of the Children’s Action Network and Co-Founder of FosterMore. Jennifer’s tireless advocacy has brought national attention to the urgent needs of the 108,000+ children in U.S. foster care currently waiting for adoptive families. Together, they sit down with Lara Love Hardin, author of The Many Lives of Mama Love—a 2024 Oprah Book Club selection and New York Times bestseller. In this profoundly moving conversation, Lara shares her remarkable journey through opioid addiction, incarceration, the devastating loss of her children, and how she fought her way back to rebuild her life. This episode is a raw and inspiring look at: The transformative power of storytelling The realities of addiction, incarceration, and recovery The broken pieces of the foster care system—and how we can fix them The power of second chances and redemption 🎧 Listen, share, and comment on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts—or wherever you get your podcasts! 📅 New episodes air every Tuesday throughout May in honor of National Foster Care Awareness Month. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss a single story. 🌐 Learn More & Support: Comfort Cases – https://www.comfortcases.org 📧 Contact: info@comfortcases.org 🔗 Featured Organizations: Children’s Action Network Website: https://www.childrensactionnetwork.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childrensactionnetwork Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/childrensaction Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensActionNetwork FosterMore Website: https://fostermore.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foster_more Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/fostermore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FosterMore 📚 About Lara Love Hardin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laralovehardin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laralovehardin 📖 Buy The Many Lives of Mama Love: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-many-lives-of-mama-love-a-memoir-of-lying-stealing-writing-and-healing-lara-love-hardin/19897569 or wherever you buy books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When people think of fostering or adopting, the image that often comes to mind is a cute little baby. But what’s often forgotten are the older children—pre-teens and teens—who are just as in need of love, support, and a forever family. On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes Randi Thompson, co-founder of Kidsave—a remarkable nonprofit helping youth ages 9–17 in foster care and orphanages find meaningful, lasting connections and permanent homes. Randi is truly one of the “Good Humans” we’re honored to feature! Kidsave offers several incredible programs, including their flagship Weekend Miracles initiative, which connects older youth with families who are considering fostering or adoption. As Kidsave says: “When a child feels like they have someone in their corner, the world opens up to them, and they thrive.” 🎉 Upcoming Kidsave Miracle Galas: 📍 Washington, DC – May 29 📍 Los Angeles – June 7 📍 Houston – June 21 💙 May is National Foster Care Awareness Month! Comfort Cases is celebrating with events, fundraisers, and new weekly episodes every Tuesday in May. The Season 6 finale airs June 3! 💡 Have guest ideas for Season 7 (coming this Fall)? Reach out to our producer: 📧 dthalberg@comfortcases.org | info@comfortcases.org 🔗 Learn more about Kidsave and connect with them here: 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsaveInternational 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsave/ 🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kidsave 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kidsave 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kidsave/ 🌐 Website: https://www.kidsave.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer sits down with another incredible “Good Human” — Tristian Smith. After losing his mother at the age of seven, Tristian entered the foster care system, where he experienced over 25 placements and attended 13 different schools. Despite these hardships, he never let his circumstances define him. Tristian shares the powerful story behind his memoir, Against All Odds, which chronicles his journey through the challenges of foster care and his path to becoming a voice for change. Now a retired U.S. Army Officer, Tristian continues to serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a Foster Care Review Board Member, and a mentor to youth aging out of the system. His commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and reform is genuinely inspiring. 📘 Get Tristian’s book, Against All Odds, available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. 🔗 Connect with Tristian: Instagram: @undeterred_anomaly LinkedIn: Tristian Smith 📩 Have questions or guest suggestions? Please email us at info@comfortcases.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don’t you just love a really good person? On today’s episode of Fostering Change you’re about to meet one. Shawn Henss is truly the definition of what we call a “Good Human.” A nice guy, with a HUGE heart. Shawn is the founder of Giving Sole, a non-profit organization that gives new shoes to youth in foster care. Technically, Shawn’s son came up with the idea for Giving Sole at the age of 10! Since founding Giving Sole in 2018, they have given away more than 3,000 new, brand-name shoes and sneakers to youth in foster care throughout Arizona, and are looking to share this generosity throughout the US. We can go on longer here, but we’d rather you listen to Shawn’s story directly from him in this beautiful interview with our host, Rob Scheer. To find out more information about Giving Sole, including how to donate, please visit: www.givingsole.org. You can also follow them on various social media channels: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/givingsole/ Instagram @giving_sole Twitter/X @givingsole Threads https://www.threads.net/@giving_sole LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/giving-sole #fostercare #givingsole #adoption Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.